The legal problems of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan are increasing continuously. On Saturday, an accountability court sentenced Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in jail each in the much talked about Toshakhana-2 corruption case. This decision has come at a time when Imran Khan is already in jail.
The verdict of this high-profile case was pronounced in the high-security Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi. Special court judge Shahrukh Arjumand convicted both of them in the jail premises itself. Due to security reasons, the court proceedings were conducted inside the jail.
What is the full decision of the court
Special Central Judge Shahrukh Arjumand pronounced this decision in Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail. The court also convicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi under section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and sentenced them to additional imprisonment of 7 years each. Along with this, a total fine of Rs 1 crore (Rs 10-10 million) has also been imposed on both of them. According to Adiala Jail officials, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced. At the same time, before the decision, notice was also issued to Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar.
What is Toshakhana-2 case?
This matter is related to government gifts received from the Saudi Arabian government in the year 2021. It is alleged that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi kept these expensive gifts against the rules and later allegedly committed fraud. The court considered it a betrayal of the state and sentenced it to severe punishment.
Journey from investigation to punishment
The initial investigation into the Toshakhana-2 case was done by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The case was later handed over to the FIA under the NAB amendments. In September 2024, FIA completed the investigation and presented the challan in the court. After this, charges were formally framed against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on 12 December 2024. It is noteworthy that the court had earlier acquitted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-1 case. However, the punishment in the second case has further increased his legal troubles.
New punishment and increasing controversy
The latest punishment has come at a time when Imran Khan is allegedly facing inhumane treatment in jail. His supporters and party PTI have alleged that Khan was kept in solitary confinement for a long time. Voice has also been raised on this issue at the international level. The United Nations has also appealed to get Imran Khan out of solitary confinement and called it a serious matter related to human rights.
